Decorative grass having optical effect

ABSTRACT

Decorative grass having an optical effect constructed of a sheet of material aligned with and bonded to a substantially iridescent sheet of material to form an optical effect material. The optical effect material is shredded to produce a plurality of strips of decorative grass having an optical effect. A third sheet of material can be aligned with and bonded to the iridescent sheet of material, wherein the sheets of material laminated to the iridescent sheet are light transmitting. The first sheet of material laminated to the iridescent sheet of material can be constructed from paper, polymeric film, metallized film, fabric, burlap, or combinations thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/345,792, filedJan. 15, 2003, now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Ser. No. 10/301,153, filed Nov. 20, 2002, entitled “DECORATIVE ELEMENTSAND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME”; which is a continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 10/068,241, filed Feb. 6, 2002, entitled “DECORATIVE ELEMENTSAND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME,” now abandoned; which is acontinuation of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/538,412, filed Mar. 29,2000, entitled “METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVINGAN OPTICAL EFFECT”; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/226,321,filed Jan. 6, 1999, entitled “METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR. CRIMPEDDECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,” now abandoned; which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/796,182, filed Feb. 7, 1997, entitled“METHOD OF FORMING CURLED OR CRIMPED DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING ANOPTICAL EFFECT,” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,286; which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 08/245,094, filed May 17, 1994, entitled “METHODS OFFORMING CURLED OR CRIMPED DECORATIVE ELEMENTS HAVING AN OPTICAL EFFECT,”now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.08/179,057, filed Jan. 7, 1994, entitled “OPTICAL EFFECT MATERIAL ANDMETHODS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,089; the contents of which are herebyexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to decorative grass and particularly decorativegrass having an optical effect, used to both cushion objects and asdecorative shredded material, slit material or cut material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical effect material constructedin accordance with the present invention, showing a bonding materialdisposed on a lower surface of a second sheet of material which connectsthe second sheet of material to an adjacent first sheet of material toform the optical effect material.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an upper surface of the first sheet ofmaterial constructed in accordance with the present invention, the upperand lower surfaces of the first sheet of material being identical.

FIG. 3 is top plan view of an upper surface of the second sheet ofmaterial constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the optical effectmaterial of the present invention, but showing the second sheet ofmaterial as a plurality of strips of material which are spaced adistance apart and laminated to the upper surface of the first sheet ofmaterial.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, but showing a third sheet of material disposed adjacent andconnected to the upper surface of the second sheet of material, which isalso disposed adjacent to the first sheet of material.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of sheets of optical effectmaterial constructed in accordance with the present invention forming acontinuous roll of sheets, the sheets separated by perforations, and theroll partially unrolled to reveal a single sheet still attached thereto.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a roll of optical effect materialwherein the roll of optical effect material is disposed in a dispenserfor separating the roll into separate sheets of optical effect materialand dispensing the separate sheets of optical effect material from theroll of optical effect material.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a roll of optical effect materialwherein the roll comprises a single sheet of optical effect material.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pad of sheets of optical effectmaterial constructed in accordance with the present invention, showingan edge of the top sheet lifted, exposing the second sheet (each sheetof optical effect material, shown as only one sheet, comprising a firstsheet of material and a second sheet of material).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of optical effectmaterial shown in FIG. 9, but showing the top sheet of material beingdetached from the pad of sheets of optical effect material.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a roll of optical effect materialconstructed in accordance with the present invention (the first sheetand the second sheet shown as combined into a single sheet), showing aknife edge being actuated by an actuator to cut at least a portion ofthe roll of optical effect material into elongated strips of opticaleffect material.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the roll of optical effect material ofFIG. 11, but showing the knife edge being actuated in a seconddirection, to cut the elongated strips of optical effect material intosmall pieces of optical effect material.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a floral grouping disposed on a sheetof optical effect material.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the floral grouping of FIG. 13 beingwrapped in one method of wrapping.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the floral grouping wrapped in aconical fashion.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another method of using a sheet ofoptical effect material to wrap a floral grouping in a cylindricalfashion.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sheet ofoptical effect material of the present invention, and a pot disposedupon the sheet.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sheet of optical effect material ofFIG. 17, but showing the sheet of material partially wrapped about theflower pot.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the sheet of optical effect materialwrapped about the flower pot.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a preformed decorative pot cover formedfrom a sheet of optical effect material.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the preformed decorative pot cover ofFIG. 20, showing a potted plant disposed into the preformed decorativepot cover.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a wrapper comprising a sleeve for wrapping a floralgrouping, constructed in accordance with the optical effect material ofthe present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 22, but showing thefloral grouping disposed inside of the wrapper with a bloom portion ofthe floral grouping disposed adjacent a first end of the sleeve and astem portion of the floral grouping extending from a second end of thesleeve.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 23, but showing thewrapper crimped about the stem portion of the floral grouping, thecrimped portion forming overlapping folds.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a modified wrapper similar to thewrapper shown in FIG. 24 but having a bonding material disposed on anouter surface of the sleeve, and showing the wrapper crimped about thestem portion of the floral grouping, the crimped portion formingoverlapping folds.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a wrapper comprising a sleeve for covering a flowerpot, the sleeve having vertical perforations that are torn at an upperportion of the sleeve.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 26, but showing thevertical perforation torn open and the sleeve also havingcircumferential perforations that are being torn.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIGS. 26 and 27, butshowing the upper portion of the sleeve torn away and the remaininglower portion of the sleeve forming a decorative cover about the pot.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a wrapper for a floral grouping, wherein the wrapperis sized to wrap a floral grouping having a single bloom and singlestem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-5

Iridescent material is frequently used in confetti, glitter, flakes,tinsel, labels, decals, stickers, sequins, decorative shredded material,such as, but not by way of limitation, decorative grasses (suchdecorative shredded material also being called herein “filamentaryportions”), and other decorative gift and floral wrapping material,because of its changing, multicolor effect. This optical effect isexpensive to produce. In some products, such as, but not by way oflimitation, confetti, glitter, and decorative grasses, the items aresold by weight, and not volume. Therefore, it is expensive to supply thequantity of iridescent decorative material to meet the desired weight ofthese products.

The present invention describes a method which is significantly lessexpensive (that is, approximately one-third less expensive) to supplythe same weight of iridescent material for such items as confetti,flakes, such as, for example, decorative metallic flakes, glitter,decorative flakes, and other very small decorative die-cut items, suchas sequins, stars, and the like, and decorative shredded material, suchas, but not by way of limitation, decorative grasses, and otherdecorative materials sold by weight rather than volume (the forgoingdecorative items also termed herein “decorative elements”). The presentinvention contemplates laminating a light transmitting material such as,but not by way of limitation, a clear plastic sheet of material, or atinted material, or a metallic material, to the iridescent material.Such a light transmitting material permits the iridescent qualities ofthe iridescent sheet of material to be transmitted and seen through thelaminated light transmitting material. This lamination of the lighttransmitting material to the iridescent material increases the weight ofthe resulting product while maintaining a selected volume range. Thelight transmitting material is much less expensive to produce orpurchase than is a similar weight of iridescent material. In thismanner, the manufacturer is provided a considerable cost savings, whilemaintaining the quality and standards of the products, as expected byconsumers.

Similarly, lamination of light transmitting material over iridescentmaterial is contemplated for providing floral wrapping material and forproviding material to wrap flower pots or plant containers (or forproviding preformed flower pot covers and other decorative covers).Differing effects are provided via the lamination technique, combinedwith other techniques, such as, but not by way of limitation, embossingthe iridescent material and/or the light transmitting material and/orother materials prior to lamination and then laminating the two or morematerials together. Additional characteristics of the iridescentmaterial, the light transmitting material, and other relevant materialsare described herein, and present a variety of interesting, unusual, anddecorative effects when two or more different materials are laminatedtogether. Such a combination maintains the iridescent characteristicswhile creating additional interesting effects hereby creating adecorative optical effect material. Shown in FIG. 1 and designatedtherein by the general reference numeral 10 is an optical effectmaterial. The material comprises a first sheet of material 11 and asecond sheet of material 26.

The first sheet of material 11 has an upper surface 12, a lower surface14, and an outer periphery 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outerperiphery 15 further comprises a first side 16, a second side 18, athird side 20 and a fourth side 22.

A bonding material 24 may be disposed on the upper surface 12 of thefirst sheet of material 11. Alternatively, however, the first sheet ofmaterial 11 may be free of a bonding material. As shown in FIG. 1, thebonding material 24, if present, is disposed in a preferred embodimentsubstantially over the upper surface 12 of the first sheet of material11. The bonding material 24 may also be disposed upon the upper surface12 in a strip of bonding material 24, although the bonding material 24also could be applied to the upper surface 12 of the first sheet ofmaterial 11 in the form of spaced apart spots or the bonding material 24also could be disposed on the upper surface 12 of the first sheet ofmaterial 11 in any other geometric or non-geometric or asymmetric forms,and in any pattern, including fanciful patterns.

The first sheet of material 11 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1mil to about 10 mil. Preferably, the first sheet of material 11 has athickness in a range from about 0.4 mil to about 0.9 mil. The firstsheet of material 11 is constructed of a material which is flexible.

The first sheet of material 11 may be any shape; and a rectangular shapeis shown in FIG. 1 only by way of example. The first sheet of material11 for example only may be square, rectangular, circular or any othergeometric, non-geometric, asymmetric or fanciful shape, such as heartshaped, for example only.

The first sheet of material 11 may be constructed of a single layer ofmaterial or a plurality of layers of the same or different types ofmaterials. The layers of material comprising the first sheet of material11 may be laminated together or connected together by any method knownin the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the first sheet of material 11 is a lighttransmitting material constructed from a plastic film (Vifan BT mediumslip biaxially oriented polypropylene film (clear)), having a thicknessin a range from between about 0.4 mil and about 0.9 mil, available fromVifan Canada, Inc., Vifan street, Lanoraie d'Autray, Quebec, Canada JOK1EO. An alternative plastic film (Hercules B523 oriented polypropylenepackaging film (clear)), having a thickness in a range of between about0.4 mil and about 0.9 mil, is available from Hercules Incorporated,Hercules Plaza, Wilmington, Del. 19894. The layers of materialcomprising the first sheet of material 11 are laminated together or maybe connected together by any method known in the art.

The first sheet of material 11 is constructed from any suitable wrappingmaterial that is capable of transmitting light into the iridescentmaterial and permitting the iridescent effect of the iridescent materialto be substantially maintained when the iridescent material is viewedthrough the light transmitting material. Further, the first sheet ofmaterial 11 must be capable of being wrapped about a flower pot orfloral grouping, or used as a shredded decorative material, such as, butnot by way of limitation, confetti, decorative grass, tinsel, glitter,sequins, flakes, and the like. Further, the first sheet of material 11must also be suitable for making small die-cut items, such as decals,labels, stickers, stars, and the like. Preferably, the first sheet ofmaterial 11 comprises paper (the term “paper” as used herein meanstreated or untreated paper, corrugated paper or cardboard or any otherform of paper material), cellophane, foil, plastic film, metallizedfilm, fabric (woven or non-woven or synthetic or natural), burlap, orcombinations thereof.

The term “plastic film” as used herein means a thermo-plastic resinousmaterial, such as, but not by way of limitation, a man-made polymer suchas, but not by way of limitation, a polypropylene. The term “plasticfilm” as used herein also means a naturally occurring polymer such ascellophane. A plastic film, as contemplated and described in detailherein, is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing(substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a second sheet of material 26. The second sheet ofmaterial 26 has an upper surface 28, a lower surface 30 (FIG. 1) and anouter periphery 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer periphery 31 furthercomprises a first side 32, a second side 34, a third side 36, and afourth side 38. The second sheet of material 26 is an iridescent film. Apreferred iridescent film is IF-8531 R/S, manufactured by MearlCorporation, 1050 Lower South Street, Peekskill, N.Y., 10566. The secondsheet of material 26 (IF-8531 R/S) has a thickness in a range of betweenabout 0.4 mil and about 0.9 mil.

The second sheet of material 26 has a thickness in a range from about0.1 mil to about 10 mil. The second sheet of material 26 has a thicknesspreferably in a range of between about 0.4 mil and about 0.9 mil. Thesecond sheet of material 26 is also flexible, and is characterized bysubstantial iridescence.

Iridescent articles and the methods of making such articles is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,645, entitled “Method of Making IridescentPlastic Sheets,” issued to Bolomey on Jan. 25, 1966; U.S. Pat. No.3,481,663, entitled, “Iridescent Articles and Methods of Manufacture,”issued to Greenstein on Dec. 12, 1969; U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,343, entitled“Multilayer Light-Reflecting Film,” issued to Wilcox et al. on Jul. 24,1979; U.S. Pat. No. RE31,780, entitled “Multilayer Light-ReflectingFilm,” issued to Cooper et al. on Dec. 25, 1984; U.S. Pat. No.5,008,143, entitled, “Decorative Objects With Multi-Color Effects,”issued to Armanini on Apr. 16, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,318, entitled,“Iridescent Film With Thermoplastic Elastomeric Components,” issued toShetty et al. on Feb. 18, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,765, entitled,“Decorative Objects With Multicolor Effects,” issued to Armanini on Oct.13, 1992, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first sheet of material 11 has a length 40extending between the third and fourth sides 20 and 22 of the firstsheet of material 11. The first sheet of material 11 also has a width 42extending between the first and the second sides 16 and 18 of the firstsheet of material 11.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the second sheet of material 26 has a length 44extending between the third and the fourth sides 36 and 38 of the secondsheet of material 26. The second sheet of material 26 has a width 46extending between the first and the second sides 32 and 34 of the secondsheet of material 26.

The second sheet of material 26 may be any shape and a rectangular shapeas shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is illustrated only by way of example. Thesecond sheet of material 26 for example only may be square, rectangular,circular or any other geometric, non-geometric, asymmetric or fancifulshape. The second sheet of material 26 may be constructed of a singlelayer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or differenttypes of materials, as long as the end result is a material havingsubstantial iridescence which is evident on both the upper surface 28and the lower surface 30 of the second sheet of material 26, and thethickness of the second sheet of material 26 falls within the preferablerange of thickness described above. When the second sheet of material 26comprises more than one layer, the layers of material comprising thesecond sheet of material 26 may be connected together in any mannerknown in the art.

In operation, the second sheet of material 26 is placed adjacent thefirst sheet of material 11 as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, thelower surface 30 of the second sheet of material 26 is disposed adjacentthe upper surface 12 of the first sheet of material 11. A bondingmaterial 24 is disposed on the lower surface 30 of the second sheet ofmaterial 26, or, alternatively, the bonding material 24 is disposed onthe upper surface 12 of the first sheet of material 11. In a furtheralternative, the bonding material 24 may be disposed on both the lowersurface 30 of the second sheet of material 26 and the upper surface 12of the first sheet of material 11. The width 42 of the first sheet ofmaterial 11 is about equal to the width 46 of the second sheet ofmaterial 26 so that, when the first and the second sheets of material 11and 26 are disposed adjacent each other, the outer periphery 15 of thefirst sheet of material 11 is aligned with the outer periphery 31 of thesecond sheet of material 26. That is, the first side 16, the second side18, the third side 20 and the fourth side 22, respectively, of the firstsheet of material 11 are generally in alignment with the respectivefirst side 32, the second side 34, the third side 36 and the fourth side38 of the second sheet of material 26. It should be noted, therefore,that the first and the second sheets of material 11 and 26 each havevirtually identical lengths 40 and 44, respectively, and widths 42 and46, respectively. When at least the first sheet of material 11 and thesecond sheet of material 26 are laminated together via any bondingmaterial 24 described herein or known in the art, the optical effectmaterial 10 (and the optical effect sheet of material 64, as illustratedin FIG. 1), is formed.

Another alternative, shown in FIG. 4, is an optical effect material 10 acomprising a first sheet of material 11 a and a second sheet of material26 a. The second sheet of material 26 a comprises a plurality of secondsheets of material which comprise strips of sheets of material (only oneof the plurality of strips designated by the numeral 26 a). Theplurality of second sheets of material 26 a is laminated or bonded byany method known in the art to the first sheet of material 11 a to formthe optical effect material 10 a.

In still a further embodiment, a third sheet of material 48 may belaminated to the opposite surface, that is, an upper surface 28 a′ of asecond sheet of material 26 a′, in forming an optical effect material 10a′, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this instance, a third sheet ofmaterial 48, which is defined as having the identical characteristicsand qualities as those characteristics and qualities described in detailherein for the first sheet of material 11 (the third sheet of material48 may comprise different characteristics and qualities than a firstsheet of material 11 a′ utilized, but the third sheet of material 48 isnot, unlike the second sheet of material 26 a′, completely iridescent)is provided, and is laminated, for example but not by way of limitation,to the upper surface 28 a′ of the second sheet of material 26 a′, asshown in FIG. 5. The third sheet of material 48 has an upper surface 50,a lower surface 52, and an outer periphery 54. As illustrated in FIG. 5,the outer periphery 54 further comprises a first side 56, a second side58, a third side 60 and a fourth side 62.

In a further alternative, the third sheet of material 48 may belaminated to the remaining non-laminated surface of the first sheet ofmaterial 11 a′, that is, a lower surface 14 a′ of the first sheet ofmaterial 11 a′. It will therefore be appreciated that multiple sheets ofmaterial 11 a′ may be used. Moreover, when multiple sheets of material11 a′ are used, the sheets of material 11 a′ need not be uniform in sizeor shape. That is one sheet may extend beyond at least a portion of theouter periphery of another sheet of material. Finally, it will beappreciated that all sheets of material shown in all embodiments hereinare substantially flat.

As noted earlier, a bonding material 24 may be disposed on the uppersurface of the first sheet of material 11, or, alternatively, to anyother surfaces of any sheets of material described herein. The bondingmaterial 24 may be applied as a strip or as spots or other shapes. Onemethod for disposing a bonding material, in this case an adhesive, on asheet of material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,637 entitled“Method For Wrapping A Floral Grouping” issued to Weder et al., on May12, 1992, and which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference. Another method for disposing a bonding material in order tolaminate two sheets of material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,811entitled “Laminated Printed Foil Flower Pot Wrap With MulticolorAppearance, issued to Weder on Nov. 3, 1981, which is hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

The term “bonding material” when used herein means an adhesive, possiblya pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding materialis a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on theadjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging withthe cohesive material. The term “bonding material” also includesmaterials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacentportions of the material must be brought into contact and then heat mustbe applied to effect the seal. The term “bonding material” when usedherein also means a lacquer, which may be applied to the sheet ofmaterial and, in this instance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations, alsomust be applied to effect the sealing of the lacquer.

When at least the first sheet of material 11 and the second sheet ofmaterial 26 are bonded together, the optical effect material 10 shown inFIG. 1 is formed. It will be appreciated that the optical effectmaterial 10 may form a sheet of optical effect material 64, pads ofoptical effect material, and/or rolls of optical effect material, thelatter two being described in detail below.

Further, the first, second, and/or third sheets of material 11, 26, and48 may consist of designs or decorative patterns which are printed,etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other printing materials.An example of an ink which may be applied to the surface of the first,second and/or third sheets of material 11, 26 and 48 is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 entitled “Water Based Ink On Foil And/OrSynthetic Organic Polymer” issued to Kingman on Sep. 15, 1992, and whichis hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. In addition, thefirst, second and/or third sheets of material 11, 26 and 48 may havevarious colorings, coatings, embossings, flocking and/or metallicfinishes, or other decorative surface ornamentation applied separatelyor simultaneously or may be characterized totally or partially bypearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent or the like,qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or incombination and may be applied to the upper and/or lower surface of thefirst, second and/or third sheets of material 11, 26 and 48. Moreover,each surface of the first, second, and/or third sheets of material 11,26 and 48 may vary in the combination of such characteristics. The firstand/or third sheets of material 11 and 48 may be opaque, translucent,clear or tinted transparent.

The bonding material 24 used to laminate the first sheet of material 11and the second sheet of material 26 together may also be tinted orcolored by using a dye, pigment, or ink. In this manner, differentcoloring effects are provided, and the first sheet of material 11 and/orthe second sheet of material 26 may be given a colored appearance by useof a colored bonding material 24. U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706 describedimmediately above provides one water based ink which may be used to tinteither sheet of material 11 or 26 or which may be used to tint thebonding material 24.

The use of a light transmitting material, such as a plastic film, forexample, as the first sheet of material 11 permits the iridescence ofthe second sheet of material 26 to substantially be maintained throughthe first sheet of material 11. But, when the second sheet of material26 is laminated to a first sheet of material 11 comprising either a foilor a metallized film (tinted or non-tinted), then the iridescent qualityis comprised when the laminated film is shredded into small pieces,flakes, or the like. Therefore, when the second sheet of material 26 isutilized with a first sheet of material 11 comprising a foil ormetallized film, additional adhesive, an additional sheet of clear ortinted material, pr additional reflective material (such as, but only byway of example, oxide flakes) must be provided between the second sheetof material 26 and the first sheet of material 11 to permit optimallight to be reflected back through the iridescent film from themetallized film, to substantially maintain, for small pieces ofdecorative material, the iridescent quality of the second sheet ofmaterial 26. It is notable that when large first and second sheets ofmaterial 11 and 26 are laminated together and not shredded, theiridescence appears substantially intact without any additional sheetsof material, adhesive, or oxide flakes.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 6-8

Referring now to FIG. 6, a plurality of individual sheets of opticaleffect material 64 a are connected linearly together to form a roll 66.Preferably, the plurality of sheets of optical effect material 64 a inthe roll 66 are connected by perforations 68, as illustrated in FIG. 6.Such a roll 66 permits one sheet of optical effect material 64 a to bewithdrawn from the roll 66, then severed or disconnected from the roll66. Alternatively, the roll 66 may simply be formed as a continuous roll66 of optical effect wrapping material without perforations (not shown),wherein a plurality of sheets of optical effect material 64 a may beremoved from the roll 66 by unrolling a portion of the roll 66, andusing a separate cutting element (not shown) to sever the unrolledportion of the roll 66 of material to form the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 a. The roll 66 may also be contained within a dispenser 70,as illustrated in FIG. 7. When the roll 66 is disposed in the dispenser70, a portion of the optical effect material is again unrolled, and aserrated cutting edge 72 contained within the dispenser 70, or aseparate cutting element (not shown), severs the unrolled portion of theoptical effect material from the roll 66 to form a sheet of opticaleffect material 64 a. Any number of sheets of optical effect material 64a may form a roll 66 as long as it is possible to withdraw at least onesheet 64 a from the roll 66 as described herein. A roll 66 formed by onesheet of optical effect material 64 a is shown in FIG. 8.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 9-10

Shown in FIG. 9 is a modified optical effect material 10 b which isidentical to the optical effect material 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 anddescribed in detail previously, except that the optical effect material10 b is formed into sheets of optical effect material 64 b which arestacked and aligned one on top of the other to form a pad 74 of sheetsof optical effect material 64 b.

The pad 74 comprises a top sheet 76 having a next sheet 78 disposeddirectly thereunder, with additional sheets of optical effect material64 b disposed under the next sheet 78, all sheets collectively formingthe pad 74 of sheets of optical effect material 64 b (one edge of thetop sheet 76 lifted for illustration purposes only). The sheets ofoptical effect material 64 b are generally aligned, and are connectedtogether via a bonding material (not shown), such as, but not by way oflimitation, a pressure sensitive adhesive.

When the top sheet 76 of optical effect material 64 b is lifted andremoved from the pad 74, as shown in FIG. 10, the next sheet 78 becomesthe new top sheet 76, and the sheet directly below the new top sheet 76becomes the new next sheet 78. This process is repeated, until all ofthe sheets of optical material 64 b in the pad 74 are removed.

In operation, a floral grouping or flower pot may be placed on the topsheet 76 in the pad 74 and the top sheet 76 may be wrapped about thefloral grouping or flower pot and removed from the pad 74. Methods offorming a pad, using the sheets of material to wrap floral groupings,and removing sheets from a pad are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,363entitled “Wrapping A Floral Grouping With Sheets Having Adhesive OrCohesive Material Applied Thereto” issued to Weder on Jan. 26, 1993,which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 11-12

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate methods for producing decorative grass havingan optical effect as well as decorative shredded optical effectmaterials such as glitter, confetti, tinsel, and the like. Shown in FIG.11 is a modified roll 66 c of optical effect material 10 c whichcomprises at least a first sheet of material and a second sheet ofmaterial laminated or otherwise connected together as previouslydescribed in detail and illustrated herein (the optical effect material10 c being shown as a single layer). The roll 66 c of optical effectmaterial 10 c is constructed exactly like the roll 66 of optical effectmaterial 10 a described before, except the roll 66 c of optical effectmaterial 10 c is not disposed in a dispenser constructed like thedispenser 70 shown in FIG. 7. Rather, the roll 66 c of optical effectmaterial 10 c is supported on a generally mounted shaft 80. A sheet ofoptical effect material 64 c is withdrawn from the roll 66 c of opticaleffect material 10 c via a leading edge 82 until a predetermined lengthof the optical effect material 10 c has been withdrawn from the roll 66c of optical effect material 10 c. In this position, a portion of theoptical effect material 10 c is disposed under a knife edge 84 having aplurality of edges. The knife edge 84 is connected to an actuator 86adapted to move the knife edge 84 in a first shredding direction 88 andin a second direction 90 (FIG. 12). When the predetermined length of theoptical effect material 10 c has been withdrawn from the roll 66 c ofoptical effect material 10 c, the actuator 86 actuates to move the knifeedge 84 in the first direction 88 to a position wherein the knife edge84 severingly engages the optical effect material 10 c to shreddinglycut a plurality of elongated portions of the optical effect material 10c from the roll 66 c of optical effect material 10 c. In anotheroptional mode, as shown in FIG. 12, the actuator 86 may then turn theknife edge 84 to a second direction 90 wherein the knife edge 84severingly re-engages the plurality of elongated portion of the opticaleffect material 10 c thereby causing the elongated portions of theoptical effect material to be severed into small pieces for use asglitter, confetti, tinsel, and the like, for example (it will beappreciated that this process is represented schematically in thedrawings). The actuator 86 may comprise a hydraulic or pneumaticcylinder dr a motor and gear arrangement or any other form ofarrangement suitable for moving the knife edge 84 in the directions 88and 90. After the knife edge 84 has cuttingly severed the desiredportion of sheet of optical effect material 64 c from the roll 66 c ofoptical effect material 10 c, the actuator 86 is actuated to move theknife edge 84 in the storage direction 92 to a storage position disposeda distance above the optical effect material 10 c as opposed to thecutting position previously described. Alternatively, the leading edge82 may be run across a first knife edge 84 (not shown) set in thesurface to form the elongated strips of optical effect material 10 c,wherein the actuator 86 actuates a second knife edge (not shown) tocross-cut the elongated strips of optical effect material 64 c intosmall pieces. Apparatus and methods for making decorative shreddedmaterials and the like is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,388,entitled, “Apparatus For Producing Weighed Charges Of Loosely AggregatedFilamentary Material,” issued to Weder et al. on Mar. 3, 1987, which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

When dealing with shredded material, especially shredded iridescentmaterial and non-iridescent material, the process of combining the twoin equal or approximately equal quantities is time consuming and costly.It is difficult, after a material is shredded, to mix the two dissimilarmaterials together. The embodiment shown previously in FIG. 4 anddescribed in detail herein would eliminate the need for costly andtime-consuming “mixing” of the two types of shredded material. Thisprocess is also advantageous for mixing even smaller pieces of material,such as sequins, labels, decals, glitter, tinsel, and the like.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 13-16

As noted previously, a sheet of optical effect material 64 d may be usedto wrap a floral grouping 94. “Floral grouping” as used herein means cutfresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower, other fresh and/orartificial plants, or other floral materials, and may include othersecondary plants and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materialswhich add to the aesthetics of the overall floral arrangement. Thefloral grouping comprises a bloom (or foliage) portion 96 and a stemportion 98. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping 94may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage (not shown). The term“floral grouping” may be used interchangeably herein with the term“floral arrangement”.

In a method of use, a modified sheet of optical effect material 64 d isprovided, which is identical to the sheet of optical effect material 64shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail previously, except that thesheet of optical effect material 64 d has a strip of bonding material 24d disposed on an upper surface 28 d and near the first sides 16 d and 32d of the sheet of optical effect material 64 d, the strip extendingbetween the third sides 20 d and 36 d, respectively, and the fourthsides 22 d and 38 d, respectively, of the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 d.

A floral grouping 94 having a stem portion 98 and a bloom portion 96(FIG. 13) is disposed on the upper surface 28 d of the sheet of opticaleffect material 64 d. The sheet of optical effect material 64 d then iswrapped about the floral grouping 94 by taking the second sides 34 d and18 d, respectively, of the sheet of optical effect material 64 d androlling the sheet of optical effect material 64 d in a direction 100about the floral grouping 94 (FIG. 14). The sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 d is continued to be rolled about the floral grouping 94until a portion of the bonding material 24 d is disposed adjacent to aportion of the lower surface 14 d of the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 d and brought into bonding contact or engagement therewith(FIG. 15), thereby bondingly connecting the bonding material 24 d on theupper surface 28 d of the sheet of optical effect material 64 d to aportion of the lower surface 14 d of the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 d for cooperating to secure the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 d in a wrapped condition about the floral grouping 94 toprovide a wrapper 102 wrapped about the floral grouping 94, as shown inFIG. 15.

In the wrapped condition with the sheet of optical effect material 64 dwrapped about the floral grouping 94 as shown in FIG. 15, the wrapper102 forms a conical shape with an open upper end 104 and an open lowerend 106. The wrapper 102 covers a portion of the bloom portion 96 of thefloral grouping 94. A portion of the stem portion 98 of the floralgrouping 94 extends through the open lower end 106 of the wrapper 102.The wrapper 102 is tightly wrapped about the stem portion 98 of thefloral grouping 94. The bonding material 24 d on the sheet of opticaleffect material 64 d may contact and engage some of the stem portion 98of the floral grouping 94 to cooperate in securing the wrapper 102tightly wrapped about the stem portion 98 and to prevent the floralgrouping 94 from slipping or moving within the wrapper 102.

At least a portion of the floral grouping 94 is disposed within thewrapper 102. In some applications, the stem portion 98 of the floralgrouping 94 extends through the open lower end 106 of the wrapper 102,as described before. In other applications, the stem portion 98 does notextend through the open lower end 106 of the wrapper 102. In someapplications, the wrapper 102 is tightly wrapped about the stem portion98 of the floral grouping 94. The bloom portion 96 of the floralgrouping 98 is disposed near the open upper end 104 of the wrapper 102and the bloom portion 96 of the floral grouping 98 is visible via theopen upper end 104 of the wrapper 102. In some instances, the bloomportion 96 of the floral grouping 94 may extend beyond the open upperend 104 of the wrapper 102. In some applications, the upper end 104 ofthe wrapper 102 may be closed if desired. In some applications, thelower end 106 of the wrapper 102 may be closed if desired.

The wrapper 102, as shown in FIG. 15, is generally conically shaped. Thesheet of optical effect material 64 d may also be wrapped about thefloral grouping 94 to form a cylindrically shaped wrapper 108 as shownin FIG. 16, or any other shape wrapper if desired in a particularapplication.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, entitled “Wrapping A Floral Grouping WithSheets Having An Adhesive Or Cohesive Material Applied Thereto,” issuedto Weder et al. on Jan. 26, 1993, which has been incorporated byreference hereinabove, discloses methods of wrapping a floral groupingin a cylindrically-shaped wrapper.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 17-21

As noted above, a sheet of optical effect material 64 may be used toprovide a decorative cover 109 for an object such as a flower pot 110 ora potted plant. The term “flower pot” refers to any type of containerused for holding a floral grouping or a potted plant. Examples of flowerpots used in accordance with the present invention are clay pots,plastic pots, wooden pots, pots made from natural and/or syntheticfiber, and the like.

The flower pot 110 has an open upper end 112, a closed lower end 114,and an outer peripheral surface 116. An opening 118 intersects the openupper end forming an inner peripheral surface 120 and a retaining space122.

A modified sheet of optical effect material 64 e, identical to the sheetof optical effect material 64 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, except thatthe sheet of optical effect material 64 e has either a bonding material24 e disposed substantially thereon, or is formed at least partiallyfrom a shape-sustaining material, or both. To cover the object, thesheet of optical effect material 64 e may be manually or automaticallyformed about the outer peripheral surface 116 of the pot 110 or pottedplant. Or, the sheet of optical effect material 64 e may be formed intoa preformed decorative cover which is then placed about the outerperipheral surface 116 of the pot 110 or potted plant.

In a method of use, referring to FIG. 17, to form a sheet of opticaleffect material 64 e into a decorative cover 109 about a pot 110, both aflower pot 110 and a sheet of optical effect material 64 e is provided.The pot 110 is disposed upon an upper surface 28 e of the sheet ofoptical effect material 64 e, so the lower end 114 of the pot 110 restsupon a portion of the upper surface 28 e.

In one embodiment of a manual application of the sheet of optical effectmaterial 64 e about the pot 110, the upper surface 28 e of the sheet ofoptical effect material 64 e is formed about the outer peripheralsurface 116 of the pot 110 (FIGS. 18 and 19), thereby engaging the outerperipheral surface 116 to form a decorative cover 109 about the pot 110as shown in FIG. 19, in a manner which is known to those having ordinaryskill in the art. The lower surface 14 e (not shown) of the sheet ofoptical effect material 64 e thereby becomes the outer surface 124 ofthe decorative cover 109.

Another method for wrapping the sheet of optical effect material 64 eabout a pot 110 for forming such a decorative cover 109 is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 4,733,521 entitled “Cover Forming Apparatus” issued to Weder etal., on Mar. 29, 1988, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference. A decorative cover 109 formed by wrapping the sheet ofoptical effect material 64 e about the flower pot 110 may be secured tothe outer peripheral surface 116 of the pot 110 by the use of one ormore bonding materials described herein. One particular method ofsecuring the decorative cover 109 to the pot 110 is by applying a band(not shown) about the pot 110 to hold the decorative cover 109 in placesuch as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,599 entitled “Means ForSecuring A Decorative Cover About A Flower Pot” issued to Weder on Apr.21, 1992, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The term “band” when used herein means any material which may be securedabout an object such as a flower pot, such bands commonly being referredto as elastic bands, rubber bands, or non-elastic bands, and alsoincludes any other type of material such as an elastic or non-elasticstring, or elastic piece of material, non-elastic piece of material, around piece of material, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece ofpaper strip, a piece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap, or atwist tie, or combinations thereof, or any other device capable ofgathering the sheet of material to removably or substantiallypermanently form a crimped portion and secure the crimped portion formedin the sheet of material which may be secured about an object such asthe flower pot. The band also may include a bow if desired in aparticular application.

Alternatively, the sheet of optical effect material 64 e may bepreformed into a decorative cover 109′ having an opening 126′ as shownin FIG. 20. The decorative cover 109′ is self-supporting by virtue ofoverlapping folds which are bonded to each other, thereby forming arigid structure. A potted plant can be disposed into the opening 126′ ofa preformed cover 109′, thereby resulting in a decoratively coveredpotted plant 128 as shown in FIG. 21.

One method for forming such a preformed plant cover or pot cover isshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182, entitled “Article Forming System”,issued to Weder et al., on Sep. 27, 1988, which is hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

The term “potted plant” as used herein means a plant having a bloom orfoliage portion and a stem portion as well as a root portion (notshown), the root portion disposed in a growing medium 130. The term“potted plant” as used herein also includes botanical items andpropagules.

The term “botanical item” when used herein means a natural or artificialherbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term“botanical item” also means any portion or portions of natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination,or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet or floral grouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein means any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots, or spores.

The term “growing medium” when used herein means any liquid, solid orgaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers, or hormones, or combinations thereof required by theplants, or propagules for growth.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 22-28

Shown in FIG. 22 and designated therein by the general reference numeral210 is a wrapper for a floral grouping constructed from the opticaleffect material 10 f, as shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail hereinpreviously. The wrapper 210 comprises a sleeve 212 which is generallytubular in shape. The sleeve 212 has a first end 214, a second end 216,an outer peripheral surface 218, and an opening 220 intersecting boththe first end 214, and the second end 216, forming an inner peripheralsurface 222, and providing a retaining space 223 therein. In someembodiments (not shown), the second end 216 is closed, forming a closedend (not shown), and the opening 220 only intersects the first end 214of the sleeve 212. Sleeves, and their construction, are well known inthe art and sleeves are commercially available, as are various devicesand mechanisms capable of forming sleeves. It will be appreciated thateither the first sheet of material or the second sheet of material mayform either the inner surface 222 or the outer surface 218 of the sleeve212, respectively.

The wrapper 210 further comprises both the sleeve 212 and a floralgrouping 94 f (FIG. 23). The sleeve is adapted to receive the floralgrouping 94 f within the retaining space 223.

The floral grouping 94 f (FIG. 23) may be disposed in the opening 220 inthe sleeve 212 and contained substantially in the retaining space 223 ofthe sleeve 212, as will be described in detail below.

A bonding material 24 f may be disposed on at least a portion of theinner surface 222 of the sleeve 212 (not shown), or, alternatively, thebonding material 24 f may be disposed on the outer surface 218 of thesleeve 212, as illustrated in FIG. 25, or, in a further alternative, thebonding material 24 f may be disposed on both the inner surface 222 andthe outer surface 218 of the sleeve 212 (not shown).

The bonding material 24 f may further comprise a color, or a combinationof colors, as previously described herein. Further, the bonding material24 f may comprise at least a portion of a design on the sleeve 212.“Designs,” as used herein, are defined as any geometric form, or anycombination of geometric forms, for example, squares, round spots,triangles, rectangles, octagonals, or the like (not shown). “Designs”are further defined as any non-geometric, asymmetrical or fancifulforms, or any combination thereof, for example, but not by way oflimitation, hearts, balloons, flowers, lace, slogans, logos, print (anycombination of letters and/or numbers), signs, human forms (real andfictional), animal forms (real and fictional), cartoon characters,and/or plant forms.

Such a design may comprise a color, or a portion of a color, or anycombination of colors. Alternatively, at least a portion of the designmay be colorless, translucent, transparent, opaque, pearlescent,iridescent, or the like.

The sleeve 212 is generally tubularly shaped, but the sleeve 212 may be,by way of example but not by way of limitation, cylindrical, conical,frusto-conical, or a combination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical(not shown). Further, as long as the sleeve is capable of receiving afloral grouping 24 f, any shape of sleeve 212, whether geometric,non-geometric, asymmetrical, and/or fanciful, may be utilized.

In a general method of use, illustrated in FIGS. 23-25, at least aportion of the floral grouping 94 f is disposed within the sleeve 212.In some applications, the stem portion 98 f of the floral grouping 94 fextends into the sleeve 212 via the open first end 214, extendingthrough the open second end 216 of the sleeve 212, and beyond the opensecond end 216. The bloom portion 96 f of the floral grouping 24 f istherefore disposed near the open first end 214 of the sleeve 212, andthe bloom portion 96 f of the floral grouping 94 f is visible via theopen first end 214 of the sleeve (FIGS. 23-25). In some instances, thebloom portion 96 f of the floral grouping 94 f may extend above the openfirst end 214 of the sleeve 212. In some applications, the first end 214of the sleeve 212 may be closed if desired (not shown). In somecircumstances, the second end 216 of the sleeve 212 may be closed ifdesired (not shown).

In one method of use (FIGS. 23-25), an operator provides a sleeve 212(FIG. 22), and a floral grouping 94 f (FIG. 24). The operator thendisposes the floral grouping 94 f into the sleeve 212 by opening thesleeve 212 at the first end 214 and assuring both that the opening 220therein is in an open condition, and that the inner peripheral surface222 of the sleeve 212 is somewhat expanded outward as well, and theretaining space 223 sized to receive the floral grouping 94 f, as shownin FIG. 22. The operator then disposes the floral grouping 94 f into theopening 220 in the sleeve 212 and the retaining space 223 by insertingfirst the stem portion 98 f of the floral grouping 94 f into theretaining space 223 of the sleeve 212 via the opening in the first end214, in a manner which permits a portion of the stem portion 98 f to bedisposed in the retaining space 223 adjacent the second end 216 of thesleeve 212, the second end 216 generally having the narrowest diameter.In inserting the floral grouping 94 f into the sleeve 212 in thismanner, the bloom portion 96 f is also disposed in the retaining space223 of the sleeve 212 and the bloom portion 96 f is disposed adjacentthe first end 214 of the sleeve 212, the first end 214 generally havingthe widest diameter. In this method, at least a portion of the stemportion 98 f of the floral grouping 94 f extends slightly beyond thesecond end 216 of the sleeve 212, and the bloom portion 96 f of thefloral grouping 94 f is clearly visible at the open first end 214 of thesleeve 212.

The sleeve 212 may then be crimped about the floral grouping 94 f, asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25. The crimping operation is conducted by anoperator after the floral grouping 94 f is disposed in the sleeve 212 bycrimping at least a portion of the sleeve 212 in the area of the stemportion 98 f of the floral grouping 94 f, at least a portion of thebonding material 24 f being disposed on this area to retain the crimpedsleeve 212 in the crimped condition. Such crimping may be conducted byhand, by grasping and substantially encompassing with one or more handsthe second end 216 of the sleeve 212 in the area of the bonding material24 f and evenly and firmly squeezing that portion of the sleeve 212about the area having the bonding material 24 f, thereby pressing andgathering both the sleeve 212 and the bonding material 24 f againstitself and about the stem portion 98 f of the floral grouping 94 f. Thesleeve 212 may also be crimped by using both a crimping motion (asdescribed above) and a turning motion to create a twisted crimping,resulting in a sleeve 212 which is both crimped as previously described,and which is twisted about at least a portion of the stem portion 98 fof the floral grouping 94 f, the sleeve 212 near the stem portion 98 fof the floral grouping 94 f being rotated for example but not by way oflimitation, about the stem portion 98 f between about one-eighth of aturn to about a full turn (not shown).

When the sleeve 212 is crimped, a plurality of overlapping folds 240 areformed in the crimped area. The plurality of overlapping folds 240 (onlyone overlapping fold designated by the numeral 240) resulting from thegathered, crimped material of the sleeve 212 may be connected, that is,all portions of the overlapping optical effect material 10 f of thesleeve 212 are bondingly connected together via bonding material 24 f. Aplurality of overlapping folds 240 may be formed by hand, duringcrimping, or by mechanical means. Such mechanical means are disclosedgenerally in “Article Forming System,” which has been previouslyincorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the crimping may beconducted in a manner in which not all of the plurality of overlappingfolds 240 are bondingly connected together. It will be appreciated thatthe plurality of overlapping folds 240 (connected or unconnected) areformed primarily in the crimped area. Such crimping as described abovemay also be conducted by any device or mechanism known in the art andused for gathering or crimping materials.

Alternatively, the sleeve may remain uncrimped. The bonding material 24f disposed upon the sleeve 212 may cause the sleeve 212 to bondinglyconnect to portions of itself, causing the sleeve 212 to conform, eithergenerally, or closely (depending, as will be appreciated, upon theamount of bonding material 24 f and the amount of the optical effectmaterial 10 f of the sleeve 212 which overlaps and connects to itself)to the floral grouping 94 f.

When the floral grouping 94 f is disposed in the sleeve 212 by anymethod described herein, or known in the art, the sleeve 212substantially surrounds and encompasses a substantial portion of thefloral grouping 94 f. When the sleeve 212 is disposed about the floralgrouping 94 f, the sleeve 212 forms a wrapper 210 which provides adecorative packaging for the floral grouping 94 f contained therein.

It will be appreciated that the sleeve 212 has sufficient flexibility,but also sufficient rigidity to both remain in and sustain its generalshape, thereby substantially surrounding and encompassing the floralgrouping 94 f.

As illustrated in FIGS. 26-28, a sleeve 212 a may also extend over theouter peripheral surface 116 f (not shown) of a flower pot 110 f. Thesleeve 212 a may comprise at least a portion of a flower pot cover (ifan upper portion 242 of the sleeve 212 a tears away from a lower portion244 of the sleeve 212 a via vertical perforations 246 and/orcircumferential perforations 248 extending about the sleeve 212 a nearor above the level of the open upper end 111 of the pot 110 f, asillustrated in FIGS. 26-28) or, alternatively, the sleeve 212 a mayextend over a pot 110 f already covered by a decorative cover, thesleeve 212 a often being torn away from the decorative cover aftershipment and delivery (not shown). The sleeve 212 a usually has abonding material 24 f disposed thereupon such that a second end 216 a ofthe sleeve 212 a will connect to the pot 110 f (not shown).Alternatively, a bonding material may be disposed upon the outerperipheral surface (not shown) of the flower pot 110 f. In a furtheralternative, the bonding material may be disposed on both the flower pot110 f and the sleeve 212 a. The flower pot 110 f may contain a floralgrouping 94 f disposed therein.

It will be appreciated that the method of disposing a flower pot 110 finto the sleeve 212 a is generally substantially similar to the methoddescribed above for disposing a floral grouping 94 f into a sleeve 212.

The Embodiment of FIG. 29

Shown in FIG. 29 and designated therein by the general reference numeral250 is a wrapper for a floral grouping constructed from the opticaleffect material 10 g, as shown in FIGS. 22-28 and described in detailherein previously. The wrapper 250 is identical to the sleeve 212 above,except that the wrapper 250 has a narrow tubular shape which isconstructed to accommodate a floral grouping 94 g comprising generallyonly a single bloom portion 96 g and stem portion 98 g.

The method of use of the wrapper 250 is identical to the method of useshown in FIGS. 22-25 and described in detail hereinabove.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps orthe sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

1. Decorative grass having an optical effect, comprising: a first sheetof material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outerperiphery, the first sheet of material being substantially iridescent; asecond sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, andan outer periphery, wherein the second sheet of material is a lighttransmitting material which permits the iridescent qualities of thefirst sheet of material to be transmitted and seen through the secondsheet of material, the second sheet of material being selected from thegroup consisting of paper, polymeric film, metallized film, fabric,burlap, and combinations thereof, the second sheet of material beingaligned with and bonded to the first sheet of material, such that saidfirst sheet of material and said second sheet of material together forman optical effect material; and wherein said optical effect material isshredded to comprise a plurality of strips of decorative grass having anoptical effect.
 2. Decorative grass having an optical effect,comprising: a first sheet of material having an upper surface, a lowersurface, and an outer periphery, the first sheet of material beingsubstantially iridescent; a second sheet of material having an uppersurface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, wherein the secondsheet of material is a light transmitting material which permits theiridescent qualities of the first sheet of material to be transmittedand seen through the second sheet of material, the second sheet ofmaterial being selected from the group consisting of paper, polymericfilm, metallized film, fabric, burlap, and combinations thereof, thesecond sheet of material being aligned with and bonded to the firstsheet of material, such that said first sheet of material and saidsecond sheet of material together form an optical effect material; andwherein said optical effect material is cut to comprise a plurality ofstrips of decorative grass having an optical effect.
 3. Decorative grasshaving an optical effect, comprising: a first sheet of material havingan upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, the firstsheet of material being substantially iridescent; a second sheet ofmaterial having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outerperiphery, wherein the second sheet of material is a light transmittingmaterial which permits the iridescent qualities of the first sheet ofmaterial to be transmitted and seen through the second sheet ofmaterial, the second sheet of material being selected from the groupconsisting of paper, polymeric film, metallized film, fabric, burlap,and combinations thereof, the second sheet of material being alignedwith and bonded to the first sheet of material; a third sheet ofmaterial having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outerperiphery, the third sheet of material being aligned with and bonded tothe first sheet of material, wherein the third sheet of material isformed of a light transmitting material which permits the iridescentqualities of the first sheet of material to be transmitted and seenthrough the third sheet of material, and wherein said first sheet ofmaterial, said second sheet of material and said third sheet of materialtogether form an optical effect material; and wherein said opticaleffect material is shredded to comprise a plurality of strips ofdecorative grass having an optical effect.
 4. Decorative grass having anoptical effect, comprising: a first sheet of material having an uppersurface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, the first sheet ofmaterial being substantially iridescent; a second sheet of materialhaving an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery,wherein the second sheet of material is a light transmitting materialwhich permits the iridescent qualities of the first sheet of material tobe transmitted and seen through the second sheet of material, the secondsheet of material being selected from the group consisting of paper,polymeric film, metallized film, fabric, burlap, and combinationsthereof, the second sheet of material being aligned with and bonded tothe first sheet of material; a third sheet of material having an uppersurface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, the third sheet ofmaterial being aligned with and bonded to the first sheet of material,wherein the third sheet of material is formed of a light transmittingmaterial which permits the iridescent qualities of the first sheet ofmaterial to be transmitted and seen through the third sheet of material,and wherein said first sheet of material, said second sheet of materialand said third sheet of material together form an optical effectmaterial; and wherein said optical effect material is cut to comprise aplurality of strips of decorative grass having an optical effect.